Weaving the Contemporary Position of Maatauranga Maaori Within Nursing Practice

Abstract

While the values and beliefs of health care for Maaori are perceived to be consistent with those which Maaori are embedded in, the outcomes developed from a Western worldview, has fallen short of this expectation. This thesis explores the customary kaupapa of Maatauranga Maaori or Maaori knowledge, which is the appropriate technique to determine how health care should be maintained by and for Maaori. The research highlights the need to meld these kaupapa with that of a contemporary Maaori viewpoint, to focus more on a deeper enhancement of these kaupapa, and develop an understanding of the social, cultural, educational, political and economic contexts these concepts have on Maaori as a people. This research identified six Maaori registered women nurses, who willingly volunteered to share their experiences regarding Maatauranga Maaori and its importance to their nursing practice. Over a period of one year, in-depth conversations unfolded and produced data on what Maatauranga Maaori involves and how the six participants in the study believe it influences their nursing practices. All are currently practicing nurses within various health settings such as psychiatric and comprehensive nursing, and all wish to be known by their given names. From the inception of this study, the focus was to introduce Maatauranga Maaori as the epistemological framework of choice. Inclusive will be life-stories - oral stories - as the method by which value and insight are added to the progress of this research study. The findings of this research indicate that a collection of key kaupapa, namely whakapapa, whanaungatanga, te reo Maaori, wairuatanga, tuurangawaewae, manaakitanga and rangatiratanga are crucial to the health and wellbeing of Maaori as a people. These kaupapa enable Maaori to determine and strengthen our worldview, which in turn reflects the concept of being Maaori thereby contributing to the health and status of their whaanau, hapuu and iwi. The findings support the view that there is a substantial collection of kaupapa, which are inherent in Maatauranga Maaori as being able to provide a framework for theoretical research. These kaupapa will provide a framework for nursing practice and educational curricula that will develop and maintain nursing standards to meet the needs of Maaori.